Resetting device for counters



M. 1.. JEFFREY 5,891

RESETTING DEVICE FOR COUNTERS March 31, 1936. I

Filed Aug. 27, 1931 2 Sheets-$11991: 1

March 31, 1936. M. L. JEFFREY 2,035,891

RESETTING DEVICE FOR COUNTERS Filed Aug. 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 art 00144 04 MHX L. JEFFREY @Mw wan (130: was

Patented Mar. 31, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RESETTING DEVICE FOR COUNTERS Ohio Application August 2'7, 1931, Serial No. 559,689

7 Claims.

The resetting device comprising the present inventionis adapted for use in connection with rotary dial counters of the type disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 443,052 filed April 10, 1930; now Patent No. 1,835,220, for a recording apparatus but the principles of the invention are applicable to all manner of rotary counters or registering devices. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a 19 resetting device which by a single manual operation will cause a plurality of dial counters which have completed their registering or counting operation to be automatically returned to their initial starting point for performing a subsequent registering or counting operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a resetting device which, in its operative position, will not interfere with the high speed operation of a registering device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a resetting device which is extremely simple in its construction and one which is comprised of a minimum number of moving parts and which is therefore unlikely to get out of order.

Other objects of the invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will become more readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood and the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying single sheet of drawings in which,

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken transversely through one form of the assembled resetting device and showing a plurality of counters associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the mechanism of this invention. That figure illustrates the resetting mechanism in one position of operation.

Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2 showing the resetting device in another position of operation.

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Figure '3 showing a slightly modified form of resetting device in its inoperative position.

Figure 5 is a sectional view similar to Figure 4 showing modification of Fig. 4 and illustrating another position of operation.

Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 4 and 5 showing a still further and preferred form of the invention in which the resetting device is shown in its inoperative and in its operative positions respectively.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

} erally indicated at !4 and I6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of Pig. 6 similar to Fig. 8.

In .all of the above described views like connections of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout. 5-

Referring now to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8, a portion of the casing of a registering device (not shown) is shown at I0. Rotatably journaled across the walls of this casing is an operating shaft l2. Mounted upon the shaft l2 are a plu- 10 rality of indicia carrying dials or counters gen- These counters comprise assemblies which are substantially identical and a description of one will suflice for the other. Each dial consists in a disc I8 16 having a lateral circumferential flange 20 formed thereon.

The disc I8 is provided with a pin 30, on which pin is centrally pivoted a curved pawl member 32 having a ratchet engaging portion 34 formed 20 thereon. This ratchet engaging portion 34 is adapted to selectively engage inner teeth 36 formed on the gear member 26. The disc I8 is provided with a central opening 22 from which there projects an integrally formed sleeve 24 25..

providing a bearing for the disc I8 on the shaft I2. A gear 26 which controls the indexing of the counter I4 is provided with an annular flange 28 which is received within the annular flange 20 of the disc 18 and thus-the gear 26 is ro- 30 tatably mounted with respect to the disc l8 and is held in spaced relation from the shaft by means of the disc Ill. The end ofthe pawl member 32 opposite the pawl engaging surface 34 has secured thereto, at one end, a tension spring 38. 35 The other end of the tension spring is secured to a locking pawl 40, which latter pawl is centrally pivoted on a pin 42 carried by the disc IS. The sleeve 24, integral with disc 18, is provided with a cut away portion 44 which permits a pro- 40 jecting portion 46 of the locking pawl 40 to enter a notch 48 formed in the shaft I2. The shaft [2 is movable endwise in the walls of the casing ID to permit the notch 48 to be moved into and out of registering position with respect to the 45 projecting portion 46 of the locking pawl 40. The pawl member 32 is so designed that regardless of the position of the locking pawl 40 this member is normally urged into engagement with the inner teeth of the gear member 26. The gear mem- 50 ber 26 is rotatable with respect to the disc l8 in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2, the inner teeth on this gear member forcing the pawl inwardly as each tooth is encountered. The gear member 26 is locked against rotation with respect to the disc 58 in the reverse direction by the abutting end of the pawl member 32 on the sides of these inner teeth.

It will be seen that only when the projecting portion 66 of the locking pawl 66 is received within the groove or cut-out portion 68 of the shaft l2 is the pawl member 32 permitted this sliding engagement with the inner teeth of the gear member 26. The projecting portion 46 of the locking pawl 69 is provided with a cam surface 50 which bears against a complementary cam surface 52 in the notch 68.

This projecting portion 66 is also provided with an abutting surface 5 3 which is adapted to engage a complemental abutting surface 56 in the notch 66. Thus the shaft l2 may have rotational movement in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2 with respect to the disc l6 and gear 26. Rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction with respect to these members is prohibited by the abutting surfaces 56 and 56.

If the shaft i2 as shown in Figure 2 is turned in the direction of the arrow indicated in this figure to the position shownin Figure 3 the projecting portion of the locking pawl 36 is forced out of the notch 68 by virtue of the camming surfaces 66 and 62. If the projecting portion 436 is moved outwardly from the notch W the locking pawl 66 is turned about its pivot 62 and a locking projection 58 on this member is moved into the path of a lug 60 formed on the pawl member The pawl member 32 is then looked against pivotal movement and since the portion 36 of this.

pawl member is held in position between the two adjacent teeth on the inner side of the gear 26 the entire unit will turn freely on the shaft 52. By moving the shaft l2 longitudinally, the notch (36 may be thrown out of register with the projection 66 on the locking pawl llll and the unit, as an entirety, may be turned on the shaft in either direction without releasing the pawl 32 from ring gear 26 at any time.

The outer teeth on the gear 26 are adapted to be engaged by a gear 62 similar to that shown in my above mentioned patent. The gear 62 serves to advance the tens and the hundreds and like wheels one digit with a complete revolution of the preceding units, tens discs and so forth. The gear 62 remains constantly engaged with the outer serrations of the ring gear 26. The gear 62 is held from rotation except when it is advanced by a preceding disc that has completed a revolution. Therefore the gear 62 serves to hold the serrated ring 26 against rotation except when it is advanced by a disc i8 representing a lesser series of digits upon completing a single revolution. When theshaft i2 is in such longitudinal position that the notch 68 receives the projection 66 on the locking pawl 66, rotation of the shaft E2 in a direction opposite to the dlrection'indicated by the arrow in Figure 2 will set the disc I8 to any desired position inasmuch as the gear 62 will hold the gear 26 stationary and the disc 58 may be moved with respect to this gear. When' the operating mechanism is to be set into motion the shaft is moved endwise to a position so that the projection 66 of the locking pawl 66 contacts with a round portion of this shaft. The operating mechanism may then be set into motion and the disc H3, having the dial thereon, will commence to function in its normal manner.

The above description has been specifically applied to the unit i 6 and the unit I6 is constructed substantially identical with the unit H3. The

side of the disc l6 opposite the gear 26 is provided with a pair of teeth 64 which mesh with elongated teeth 66 on idler gear 62 mounted on a counter shaft Ill. The idler gear 62 is provided with short teeth l2 interposed between 5 the longer teeth 66 to provide intermeshing teeth that engage the teeth on the outer surface of the gear 26 of the unit l6. When an operating pawl (not shown) which is provided to advance the units dial, causes the unit 56 to perform a coml0 plete revolution during normal operation, the teeth 64 of this unit 5 6 engage one of the elongated teeth 66 on the idler gear 62 and causes this gear to impart limited movement to the gear 26 of the unit l8 thereby causing the dial 15 on the disc l8 to advance one unit. In other words, the dial on the disc it of unit i l advances one unit for every ten units of advancement made by the dial on the disc is of the unit l6.

To effect simultaneous resetting of both dials 26 the shaft i2 is provided with a knurled head l6 and disposed between this head and the forward end of the casing in is a coil spring it; normally urging the shaft in one direction. When it is desired to set the dials on both units M and 25 i6 to initial starting point the knurled head 16 is depressed, thereby sliding the shaft it endwise to cause the notch 66 to register with the projection 36 of the locking pawls 6B of both units M and H6. The shaft 52 may then be ro- 39 tated a complete revolution, during which movement the gears 26 remain stationary and the dials are brought to their initial starting position. By giving the shaft l2 a partial reverse turn, the locking pawls 40 are cammed out of $35 notch 38, and the shaft returns to its original axial position, leaving the counters free to rotate thereon.

The disc I8 has provided on its periphery a plurality of printing numbers which are in the 40 form of projecting type integrally formed on the surface of this member. Also formed on the periphery of the disc are a plurality of reading numbers, which are preferably cut into the periphery of the disc. The printing numbers are 5 adapted to be engaged by a paper marking sheet behind where there is a printing plate which forces this sheet against a selected printed number. The printing mechanism has not been shown in this application. The numbers are so arranged with respect to each other that when one of the reading numbers becomes visible the printing platen is directly adjacent the printing number corresponding to the visible reading number.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 4, 5 and 9 the gear 26' and the disc l8 .are subtantiallyidentical with the gear 26 and disc l8 shown in Figures 2 and 3. In this form of the invention, however, the pawl member 32 is normally held in engagement with the inner teeth on the gear 26 by a locking projection 36 formed on this pawl member 32' instead of on a separate locking pawl as in the other form of the invention. This projection 46 normally engages a round portion of the shaft 12. When the notch 48 in the shaft I2 is encountered by the projection 66' the pawl 32' is drawn inwardly about its pivot 30' by the spring 38' so that the disc l8 and shaft are locked together for movement in one direction. Rotation of the shaft l2 in the other 70 direction, however, will force the pawl outwardly into engagement with the inner'teeth on the gear 26' to permit normal operation of the unit.

Referring to Figures 6 and '7, an improved and preferred form of resetting device is shown. This resetting device is mounted upon the shaft l2". The resetting device is in the form of a dial consisting of a disc l8" having a lateral circumferential flange formed thereon. The disc [8" is provided with a central opening 22" from which there projects an integrally formed sleeve 24" providing a bearing for the disc IS" on the shaft 12''. A gear 26" which controls the indexing of the dial or counter i4" is provided with an annular flange 28" (note Fig. 9) which is received within the annular flange 20" of the disc H3". The gear 26 is, therefore, rotatably mounted with respect to the disc l8" and is held in spaced relation wtih the shaft l2" by means of the disc l8". The gear 26" is provided with external ratchet teeth which are adapted to be engaged by suitable means (not shown) for controlling the indexing of the counter. The disc I8" is provided with a pin 30 on which pin is centrally pivoted a pawl member 32", having a ratchet engaging portion 34" formed thereon. This ratchet engaging portion 34 is adapted to selectively engage in ner teeth 27" formed on the gear 26". The end of the pawl member 32", opposite the gear engaging end 34, has secured thereto at one end a tension spring 38", the other end of which tension spring is secured to'a locking pawl 46". This latter pawl 40" is provided at one end with a pin 42 carried by the disc 14'. The sleeve 24 is provided with a cut away portion 44" which permits a projection 46" on the locking pawl 40" to enter a notch 48" formed in the shaft l2". When this notch is brought into register with the projection 46" by endwise movement of the shaft I2, the tension spring 38" connected to the respective ends of the pawls 32" and 40 serves to normally urge the ratchet engaging portion 34" of the former pawl into engagement with the inner teeth of the gear 26" and the projection 46" of the locking pawl 40 inwardly into the notch 48 formed in the shaft l2". The pawl member 32" is so designed that it will permit rotation of the gear 26" in one direction but will prevent rotation of the gear in the other direction. This pawl is at all times normally urged into engagement with the inner teeth of gear 26".

The locking pawl 40" is normally retracted so that it does not engage the inner teeth of the gear member 26". In this position the projection 46" is received Within the notch 48 formed in the shaft l2. Upon turning of the shaft l2 in one direction, the edge of the notch 48" forces the projection outwardly-so that the locking pawl 40" engages the inner teeth ofthe gear 26" to lock the gear to the disc 12" and prevent relative rotation between these two parts.

Theinvention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Only in so far as the invention has been particularly pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

I claim:

1. The combination with a shaft, of a counter assembly including a disc rotatable on said shaft, a member rotatable about said shaft, means for locking said member to said disc for rotation therewith, said means being rendered inoperative by endwise movement of the shaft with respect to said counter assembly.

2. The combination with a shaft, of a counter assembly including a disc journaled on said shaft, a member journaled for rotation on said disc, means for locking said member to said disc for rotation therewith about said shaft, and means actuated by endwise movement of said shaft for rendering said first-named means inoperative.

3. The combination with a shaft, of a counter assembly including a disc journaled on said shaft, a member rotatable about said shaft, means for locking said member to said disc for rotation therewith, means operable by endwise movement of said shaft for rendering said first-named means inoperable to lock said member to said disc and operable upon rotation of said shaft in one direction to render said first-named means operable to lock said member to said disc.

4. The combination with a shaft having a notch therein. of a disc rotatably mounted upon said shaft, said shaft being slidable with respect to said disc, a rotatable member mounted on said disc for rotation about said shaft, said member having teeth thereon, a pawl pivoted on said disc and movable into and out of engagement with said teeth to lock said member to said disc, and a projection on said pawl adapted to be received in said notch upon endwise movement of said shaft.

5. The combination with a shaft having a notch therein, of a disc rotatably mounted upon said shaft, said shaft being slidable with respect to said disc, a rotatable member mounted on said disc for rotation about said shaft, said member having teeth thereon, a pawl pivoted on said disc and movable into and out of engagement with said teeth to lock said member to said disc, and a projection on said pawl adapted to be received in said notch upon endwise movement of said shaft and adapted to be moved out of said notch upon rotational movement of said shaft in one direction.

6. The combination with a shaft having a notch therein, of a disc rotatably mounted on said shaft, a member mounted on said disc for rotation about said shaft, said member being capable of rotation independently of said disc, a pawl on said disc adapted to engage said member to lock the same to said disc for 'rotation therewith, said pawl having a projection thereon adapted to be received in said notch to disengage said pawl from said member and permit independent rotation thereof, said projection and notch permitting rotation of said shaft in one direction with respect to said disc and preventing rotation of said shaft in the other direction with respect to said disc whereby when said shaft is rotated in the latter direction said disc will be moved therewith.

'7. The combination with a shaft, of a plurality of counters therefor, said counters being substantially identical and comprising each a disc, 2. member rotatably mounted in said disc, means including a locking pawl adapted to engage said member for locking the latter to said disc for simultaneous rotation therewith, and means operable by endwise movement of said shaft with respect to the discs of each counter for disengaging the respective pawls from said members and rendering said locking means inoperable.

MAX L. JEFFREY. 

